Mudcats Rout Rays 15-4
July 5, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Zebulon, NC â The Carolina Mudcats came into Saturday's Southern League game with Orlando sporting the league's top offense, while the Rays came into the game with a tired, overworked pitching staff. The combination proved lethal for the Rays as the Mudcats pounded out 17 hits en route to a 15-4 win over the Rays at Five County Stadium.
Starting pitcher Travis Minix (2-2) took the brunt of the pounding, getting touched for eight runs â seven earned - on nine hits over his 4.0 innings of work. The Rays bullpen didn't fare much better, as the Mudcats went on to score seven more runs over the final four-plus innings. In an effort to save some of the bullpen for tomorrow's series finale, Rays' manager Charlie Montoyo sent catcher Chairon Isenia to the mound to close out the game. Isenia pitched the eighth inning, allowing one earned run on two hits.
Orlando's defense didn't help out the beleaguered Rays pitchers, committing three errors on the night. The three miscues pushed Orlando's season total to 104 in 86 games, just two behind the Huntsville Stars, who lead the Southern League with 106 errors. Dan Grummitt and Dan DeMent had two hits apiece for the Rays, who fell to 6-11 for the second half of the season.
Orlando and Carolina close out the series tomorrow at 5:00, with Orlando's starter to be announced tomorrow. The Rays will likely send another bullpen pitcher to the mound in a spot start, to take on Carolina LHP Todd Moser (4-3, 2.23). Orlando's overworked staff will get a much-needed break as the Southern League heads into the All Star break on Monday. Orlando will send three representatives â all starting pitchers - to the game: RHP Jim Magrane, RHP Jose Veras and LHP Jon Switzer.
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Southern League Stories from July 5, 2003
- Barons Eclipse Suns, 7-2 - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears win to move back into first - Mobile BayBears
- Mudcats Rout Rays 15-4 - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Clip G-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Top G-Braves 7-4 - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons beat Suns, 7-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Gemoll's Blast Propels Stars to 5-3 Win - Huntsville Stars
- Suns Outlast Barons, 12-7 - Birmingham Barons
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